Father Formula

Peg put a hand to her lips in amazement. “My goodness! I’d have sworn…!”

The man stood and pulled a third chair back. “I’ve always thought there should be a system for making copies of pretty girls. If you’re not meeting someone, would you like to join us?”

The name McKeon was ringing a bell in Alexis’s memory. “Well, sure, if I’m not imposing.”

“Of course not. I’ll get your drink.”

Before Alexis could tell him she hadn’t paid for it yet, he had and was delivering it, along with the cookie. “I saw you eyeing the biscotti,” he said as he put it down in front of her. “Impulses should always be indulged. Where’s Athena these days?”

“Thank you, Charlie. She’s in New York.” She broke her cookie in half and dunked the end in the latte. “Her new husband is meeting with an agent about a book deal, and then she’s closing up her law office in D.C. to move here.”

Peg nodded knowingly. “So, she did find love.”

When Alexis looked surprised that her sister would have spoken to strangers on such a subject, Peg added, “I’d been telling her that our sons have all found wonderful wives, but we were worried about our daughter, who doesn’t seem to be able to hold a relationship together. Athena told me not to worry, that Dori would find love. That everybody did. When I asked her if she had, she said, ‘Everybody but me.’” Peg looked pleased. “I’m so glad that’s changed.”

“She married David Hartford,” Alexis said. “He owns Cliffside.”

Charlie nodded. “Dori went to a costume party there. She said it’s quite a place.”

“It’s beautiful. Our aunt used to own it and my sisters and I spent a lot of time there as children. Were you shopping for antiques again this morning?” Alexis asked.

Peg made a face. “We wanted to get the kids something for the house that they could all enjoy. It’s been three years since they’ve shared the beach house. We thought we’d leave something special for when we all come back at Thanksgiving.”

Something caught Alexis’s attention through the coffee bar window and she looked out just in time to see Ferdie leap up, forepaws on Trevyn’s chest as the man spoke to him and ruffled his ears.

“Now, there’s someone you should meet,” Alexis said, waving at him through the window and beckoning him inside. “He’s opening a portrait studio in Dancer’s Beach. I think a portrait of the two of you for the house would be the perfect thing for your children and their families. Or maybe one of all of you together.”

She wasn’t deliberately setting out to help him, she told herself by way of excusing her behavior. She just recognized and related to that lost look he’d worn when he’d walked out of the house this morning—as though he recognized his surroundings but didn’t feel at home in them. She’d felt that way often enough herself.

He walked into the coffee bar looking fresh and handsome, whatever had been bothering him earlier somehow resolved, at least for now. He brought the perfumed coastal air in with him and Alexis got a whiff of pine, salt and a trace of apples.

Alexis made introductions and related the conversation they’d just shared.

“I told them about you,” she said, pushing him into the fourth chair. “But I don’t remember all your credentials. Tell them about yourself and I’ll get your coffee and refills for the rest of us.”

He was clearly startled by her helpfulness and looked just a little off-balance for a moment.

She went to the counter with a smile, delighted to be able to give him a dose of his own medicine.

“I think a portrait of all of us is a great idea,” Charlie said as Peg nodded her agreement. “One of our daughters-in-law is a photographer, but she always ends up taking pictures at our get-togethers. It’d be nice if she could be in one without having to set a timer and run back to her spot. What do you think, Peg? Why don’t we invite these kids to dinner and talk about it?”

Peg nodded eagerly. “That would be fun.”

“We’d like that,” Trevyn said, “but there are actually four of us. Her sister is married to my friend and we’re watching his two young brothers while they’re in the East.”

“That’s no problem,” Peg assured him. “Our family is big on boys so we’re used to having them around. I’ll fix something they’ll like. Was your other sister happy with the egg whip?” Peg wanted to know when Alexis reappeared with a cappuccino for him and the coffeepot to refill Peg’s and Charlie’s simple cups of coffee.

He remembered that she hadn’t asked him what he’d wanted to drink. He must still look as though he needed a double shot of caffeine.

She explained about the accident in the Columbia River and Gusty’s subsequent disappearance.

“How awful,” Peg sympathized. “I can’t imagine anything worse than not knowing what happened to someone in your family. That would make me crazy. We spend most of our time keeping tabs on our children and grandchildren.”

“The police are working on it.” Alexis swirled the contents of her glass, then downed the last mouthful. “She was spotted at an airport baggage carousel with a man, and it’s taken the police weeks to go through passenger manifests and check out everyone.”

Peg patted her hand. “That must be so worrisome for you.”

“You have to have faith that it’ll come out alright,” Charlie advised. “Peg gets her nose and her hands into everything, but I mostly just stand back and try to believe the situation into coming out for the best.”

Peg took offense. “You’re suggesting that I meddle?”

Charlie looked surprised. “Are you denying it?”

She thought that over a moment, then smiled from Alexis to Trevyn. “No, I guess not. But there’s meddling, and there’s creative interference. There’s a bit of an art to what I do.”

Charlie grinned at their companions. “That’s how she excuses being tricky.”

“I suppose your mother minds her own business?” Peg asked Trevyn.

“Pretty much,” he agreed with a rueful smile. “She passed away when I was in high school. My father retired a year ago, and he’s been touring the country on a Harley ever since. I get postcards from everywhere, but I haven’t seen him in a while.”

Charlie sighed over his coffee. “I’ve always wanted a Harley.”

Peg backhanded him in the arm. “Please. Can you imagine how your arthritis would react to being out in the weather as you travel?”

He gave her a frown. “You don’t do it in your Skivvies, you know. You wear leather to protect you and keep you warm.”

“Charlie.” Peg held her arms out, as though to display her ample form in its navy-blue sweats. “How would this body look on the back of your Harley? Think about it.”

Charlie leaned toward her, laughter in his eyes. “Well, I wouldn’t bring you, Peggy, my love. I’d find myself a group of road outlaws, then cozy up to some shapely biker babe in leather shorts who can rumble as well as the guys.”

Peg stared at him in disbelief for a moment, then burst into laughter. He joined her and they locked fingers on the table as they enjoyed his outrageous scenario.

Alexis turned to Trevyn, who was also laughing. His glance at her invited her to share the moment and she couldn’t resist.

The McKeons finally left the coffee bar, setting a date for dinner on Sunday evening.

Charlie gave his wife a gentle shove through the door, then waved at Alexis and Trevyn. “See you Sunday.”

Alexis watched them greedily, chin on her hand. “Aren’t they every kid’s dream of the perfect parents? I mean, I wouldn’t want the type that stays thin and looks like an ad for a retirement village, or something. I love that they look so real and comfortable. Like you could take them any problem and even if they couldn’t solve it for you, they’d listen and commiserate and hug you until you felt better.”

Trevyn pushed away from the table. “Yeah. They’re great. I hope their kids appreciate them.” He pointed through the window to Ferdie, who now sat at attention, somehow sensing he would soon be freed from his newspaper-stand shackle. “He looks like he could use a cookie.”

Athena held up the second half of her biscotti. “Saved this for him.” She stood to leave, forgetting the small disposable camera on the table.

Trevyn snatched it up and handed it to her. “Yours?”

“Oh, thanks. Yes. I’ve been taking photos to paint from. I suppose these are offensive to a professional photographer.”